Vet Wisdom® Café

Wouldn't You Like a Companion Elephant?

The holidays are fast approaching!

I want to share a wonderful gift idea with you that has nothing to do with the small companion animals we share our homes with...it has to do with companion elephants!

Last year, Pete and I gave each of our daughters the gift of an orphaned baby elephant.

No, they don't live in our backyard!  They live in Nairobi on the Sheldrick Wildlife Sanctuary.  This organization is rescuing the baby elephants who are orphaned due to the ivory trade.  Poachers kill the mother elephants for their tusks and the babies are left without care and comfort.

Heartbreaking!

But, for as little as $50.00, you can sponsor an elephant and help change its life.  This small donation will bring you the opportunity to choose the elephant you connect with (via photos, the name it has been given, etc.) Then, among many other gifts and news, you will also receive a monthly email update based on your elephant's Keeper's Diary.  This will tell you all about your elephant's care and progress during the previous month.  From time to time, you'll also receive new photos of your "baby."

Elephants have many human-like traits, even displaying emotions and family relationships much like ours. In my view, they are so worth saving!  I can't imagine a world without these gentle giants in it!

If this interests you, check out the wonderful, informative and uplifting website at www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org and choose an orphan to foster.  If you lost a beloved pet during the past year, this might also be a wonderful way to commemorate the love and joy your pet brought to your life.  Make a donation in your pet's name and know that you are honoring your companion animal by "paying it forward" and providing care for a companion elephant!

--Laurel

Wordless Wednesday - Jack the Pug

Today, we have something a little different. This photo was sent to us by someone who received this lovely ClayPaws® Print from their veterinarian when their cute little Pug, Jack, died. She said,

"Our 12-1/2 year old pug, Jack, passed away suddenly last week.  When I picked up his leash, I was presented with his paw prints.  I cannot tell you how grateful we are that this vet had your product and was so kind to give us this memory of Jack.  Needless to say, I was not expected it and was a puddle of tears for several hours, which was not a bad thing.  It has helped us with our grieving. Thank you again for a wonderful product."  --Karen and Craig, pet parents

"And now, to all the good dogs..."

25 years ago, I was one of a handful of grief counselors beginning a new job in a field that we were inventing as we went along.  The field was referred to as "pet loss counseling" and even the veterinarians we were working with thought we might not be doing the right thing by "paying attention" to their clients' grief.

There was a prevailing belief that "paying attention" to the loss of a pet would just make matters worse for grieving pet parents.  "We've just killed their pet. What could we possibly do that would make them feel any better?" one skeptical veterinarian asked me.

Frankly, I wasn't sure myself.

Then, a wonderful woman named Cathy Bender visited me at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and showed me her line of Eldorado Arts pet sympathy cards.  She created her cards so veterinarians could send them to their grieving clients.  Cathy was a gifted artist and paired her realistic artwork with poignant words to express just the right sentiment for the occasion.

Today, sending a sympathy card when a pet dies is standard procedure for veterinarians.  But, back in those days, sending a sympathy card when a pet died was a new idea. Cathy's cards, from her company Eldorado Arts, were among the first of their kind. 

One of Cathy's Eldorado Arts card pictured dogs of all sizes and breeds running together through the grass and it quickly became my favorite.  The card featured a quote from George Papashvily that read, "And now, to all the good dogs... the special ones you loved best, those of ours we still miss...good-bye, until, on some brighter day, in some fairer place, they run out again to greet us."  For me, this card conjured just the right blend of empathy, hope, and spiritual uplift.  I added my own note and sent them to all my dog-parent clients.

And, then, Cathy discontinued the card.

I was lost!  Oh, there were many, many other wonderful cards that replaced it.  Cathy was, and still is, a prolific artist.  But, I really missed that particular card.....

So, today, I have some fun news to share with you.

World by the Tail, Inc., is now the new owner of Eldorado Arts cards and my favorite design is once again mine to send!  Cathy decided to retire after 24 years in the card business and we were fortunate enough to become the keepers of her artistic legacy.  Along with Cathy's business, we acquired her original art, so my card is now one of dozens available for me---and YOU---to send to grieving pet parents.

Tammy has my "Good Dogs" card, along with all the other sympathy cards, posted on our veterinary website. Message note cards, blank note cards, and postcards are also available. Please take a look and help us welcome Eldorado Arts cards to our Veterinary Wisdom® line of client support products!

--Laurel

Celebrating Pet Lives in Memorium

A quick shout out to any of you who are in the Fort Collins, CO, area...

This coming weekend, on Sunday, September 11, Colorado State University hosts their annual pet memorial.  This gathering is arranged by the Argus Institute, the grief support program, at CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.  World by the Tail, Inc., is happy to be one of the sponsors of the event.

The Pet Memorial is a time when all who have lost a pet during the past year can come together to remember how pets have "touched our hearts and shaped our lives."  A reception will follow the formal program and a table will be available to display mementos of pets.

The Argus staff respectfully asks that you leave your current pets at home and they invite you to email CSUpetmemorial@colostate.edu if you'd like more information.

Hugs and warm thoughts to all who have lost a pet during this year...

--Laurel

Pet Tattoos

No, not tattoos FOR your pet, tattoos OF your pet.

I came across a fun post over at a blog I enjoy, called Pawesome. This particular post was about cat tattoos, but also linked to an older post about pet tattoos. Now, I am a fan of tattoos. I only have one myself, and it isn't my pet. I looked for several years for the design I wanted before actually getting the work done. I've had it retouched once (and will NOT do that again - it hurt much worse the second time around.) I would definitely consider another tattoo if I found another design that worked. However, that said, I don't think I would go for a cat tattoo (but I imagine I could change my mind on that with the right design! My tattoo on the right.)

I do love my kitties, I think that much is obvious. But, I can't see myself putting a tribute to one of them on myself permanently. Again, that said, I do think it's a cool idea for someone else to do! I actually think it could be a very cool way to pay tribute to a beloved animal who has died.

Some time ago, we received photos from a customer, Kris Wood, who had gotten an artist rendering of her dog Bailey's ClayPaws® print as a tattoo. It is VERY cool! Not only does she have the print in the clay, she has that print on herself permanently. Kris told us that as she placed the print in the oven, one of her own tears dropped onto the terra cotta mold.  When she took it out after baking, the teardrop had become part of the print, a white splatter of salt. She took a picture of the print, found the right artist, and had Bailey's paw (complete with teardrop) tattooed on the inside of her arm. Now, when Kris "hugs" herself, Bailey's paw is right next to her heart.
What's your take on adding ink to yourself to honor a pet? Would you ever consider it? While I doubt that this is for me, I really do like the idea!

--Tammy

Related articles you might find helpful:

Ways to Memorialize a Pet

ClayPaws® Prints are Cherished Links to Pets

What "Sacred Keepsake" Will You Keep Forever?

In this week's Wednesday Wisdom e-note, I wrote about the many kid and pet keepsakes my family has hung onto over the years.  There's a whole basement full of this stuff!

Sorting through it as I've worked on a graduation scrapbook of memories for my youngest daughter has made me ask myself, "Which of these mementos is really, truly significant and meaningful to me?" In other words, which are the "sacred objects" worth saving?

Norris Burkes, a chaplain who serves in both civilian hospitals and with the Air Force Guard, writes a syndicated column that runs in our local Fort Collins, CO, newspaper.  In his Feb. 20, 2011, essay, Burkes writes about the ordinary items that he realizes are "sacred" to him.  You know, the ones he would save in case of a house fire.  He names a pocketknife, his 1979 Baylor class ring, and, of course, his Bible as his top rescues.  He says he'd also grab his trumpet, but not because he likes the instrument so much.  He'd save it because his wife went to great lengths to get it for him and, for Burkes, the trumpet represents his wife's love for him.

Burkes tells us that sacredness isn't limited to religious beliefs.  Rather, sacredness is contained in the ordinary things we have imbued with meaning and love.

I have many, many "sacred" items that are symbolic of the love of my family.  And, as for my pets, I have favorite photos, my ClayPaws® prints and some clippings of each pet's fur that are most meaningful for me.  Interestingly, I've realized that these keepsakes are more important to me than their actual cremains.  I've kept them all these years, but this spring, I may scatter them in the yard and let them go.

What "sacred" objects have you kept to keep you connected to the pets who've passed on? (The print in the photo is of my daughter Kaia's crawdad, Garfield.)

--Laurel

Related articles you might find helpful:

Encouraging Clients to Keep Linking Objects

ClayPaws® Prints are Cherished Links to Pets

One more tree idea!

Since the tree planting tribute idea I've written about over the past few weeks seemed to "click" with you, I wanted to mention one more idea.

There was an article in our local Fort Collins paper, the Coloradoan, on September 22, 2010, describing a Greeley, Colorado, couple who had a chainsaw artist carve the likeness of their giant schnauzer Fritz into an old tree in their backyard.  The top of the tree is a carving of the dog himself, sort of leaning to one side, as was his habit in life.  There is also a carving of Fritz's face lower in the tree, along with his name.

I really like this idea as it makes use of the old tree and creates a work of art at the same time.

Fritz is still alive, so I'm guessing he might occasionally "claim his territory" upon this tree sculpture, which will make it even more personal!  The article didn't say what the couple planned to do with Fritz once his time was over here on earth, but this would be a fitting final resting place.

Any other unusual, innovative ways to combine trees and tributes to a pet?  I'd love to hear them! (photo by Eric Bellamy/Greeley Tribune)

--Laurel

"Call Me The Breeze"

"They call me the breeze...I keep rolling down the road. I've got that green light baby... I gotta keep moving on. There's no change in the weather... ain't no changes in me. I ain't hiding from nobody and nobody's hiding from me. Well now they call  me the breeze...I keep rolling down the road."

 --Lynyrd Skynyrd

This was the perfect life and theme song for my sweet 13 year-old dog Pfeiffer (we had to euthanize her last Thursday night) (see above picture). Despite having two terminal intestinal diseases, she was tough, brave, and still managed to stay casual and calm during rough times. She was an inspiration to our family because she always took whatever adversity she faced in stride. Yes...she had the wisdom to keep rolling down the road because she knew how to take each day as it came, never worrying about yesterday or tomorrow.

It would be an understatement to say that it was difficult for my family and I to euthanize Pfeiffer. As a grief counselor, I'm aware of the nauseous roller coaster that pain and grief can create. Yet, despite all this, I can take some comfort in knowing that this decision was the right one. We gave her a peaceful, loving and dignified death free of needless suffering. It was a hard day, but one I'd like to briefly share.

After the kids got home from school, we took Pfeiffer over to the Garden of The Gods. There are terrific pathways there for people and dogs to walk on (this was one of her favorite spots). It was snowing that afternoon (which we were very grateful for since Pfeiffer has always loved the snow and cold).  Although she had trouble standing up and walking, she was able to walk a little bit with us supporting her. After spending some time sniffing the bushes and listening to the birds, we took her home (after treating her to several Arby's roast beef sandwiches on the ride home). Once home, we put her on her most favorite blanket in our living room and then surrounded her with our own blanket of love.

I'm always hearing from people how helpful World by the Tail products are in working through grief. Last week, I experienced this first hand as we were able to memorialize Pfeiffer right away. We made four ClayPaws® prints (one for each of us). My son chose to use the heart shaped cutter while the other prints were the traditional circle shape). All four prints came out beautifully and were unique to each of us (by using the many charms, ribbons, and stamps available to personalize our prints). We also used one of the large body care bags to transport Pfeiffer's body to the crematory. Later that night, we all sat down together and read both Dog Heaven and A Special Place For Charlee.These books and our subsequent discussion afterward was very healing. During the next few weeks, we also plan to use the Sweet Petatoes® Pet Memories Box, The Photo Brag Books as well as the Deluxe Dog Scrapbook kits. All these products will help us with our grief and keep her close to us.

Like many of you, I'm grateful for the wonderful people and products at World by The Tail.  I'm also grateful that I could talk to you all about my dear, sweet, old lady. Who knows.. with World by the Tail's guidance and our family love, maybe someday I can return to rolling down the road.

--Dana

 

Pink Roads And Floppy Ears

I must tell you that this past week-end my life had gone to the dogs. On Saturday afternoon, I participated in the "Pooches in Pink" walk (part of the Susan G. Komen foundation's Race For The Cure). The best part? I didn't have to walk alone! There were dogs-a-plenty in all shapes, sizes, and colors...and I must say, a LOT of smiles and tail wagging!

Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself and have been working through the treatments, the stress, the fatigue, and the fear. It can definitely bring you down sometimes. Saturday, I was able to turn this into a positive thing by forming a team from our veterinary hospital. So...The "Mountain Shadows Pet Hospital Tailwaggers" walked yesterday to honor and memorialize the thousands of women who have survived breast cancer or died from it. To be sure, there was lots of pink...pink collars, pink leashes, pink bandannas, and pink clothing (one woman even colored her standard poodle pink)!

I think that the best part of all this for me was seeing how much dogs enrich our lives. When walking with a dog, I feel more confident, happy, calm, and centered. I focus on the here and now and enjoy the day that I've been given instead of worrying about tomorrow. Those are the lessons and gifts that dogs bring to us every single day. As I saw survivors walking with their own dogs, I started remembering the long, difficult days after chemotherapy, and the profound fatigue I had from radiation. Yet, I also remembered how my dogs supported me and I just knew that these women didn't have to go through their struggles alone.  I'm confident that their dogs stayed beside them, supported them, encouraged them, and made them feel loved during a horrible time time in their lives.

For me, my three dogs (pictured at left) helped tremendously. After chemotherapy, I'd sleep on the couch in the living room, and they'd all form a little dog line on the floor beneath me with heads to tails all stacked up! Even though it often got really hot in this "dog clot", they all stayed with me and never left the couch until I got up. They never looked at me strangely when I lost my hair, and they accepted me no matter how I felt. I am so grateful for them and the ways in which they helped me. I'm also inspired to watch other women who have battled through this long road....a road that is turbulent and bumpy, but also filled with hope. It was uplifting to see all these women and their wonderful dogs. Dogs that are not only friends but also companions, confidantes, playmates, nurses, and even spiritual advisers.

How about you? Have any of you gone through cancer or have known someone diagnosed with this disease? How do you think pets can affect the cancer treatment process and how can we make it happen for all people with cancer? Please share your ideas and thank you for letting me share mine.

-Dana

P.S. I want to formally acknowledge and memorialize the thousands of beautiful souls who have died from cancer. Today, I honor them and the all the people in their lives who helped them through. I also want to honor all our dogs; our guardian angels in life.

Memorializing With the Heart

At our hospital, we have two separate memorial plaques on the wall of our front lobby. One for dogs, and one for cats. If clients wish to have their pet's name engraved on one of our plaques, we simply ask that they make a small donation (in the amount of their choosing) to a variety of worthy and respectable animal welfare organizations (we provide them with a list to choose from). Over the years, these plaques have been quite popular and I'm proud of the fact that we've been able to raise good money for these animal organizations. However, I think that I had lost track of how important these plaques are in helping clients deal with their grief.

Last week, I spoke to a client who wants to get a nameplate for her cat (he died last month). She had questions for me about how to fill out the form, and which animal organizations were the most "deserving". As our conversation continued, it became increasingly clear to me how much this whole process of memorializing was helping her with her grief. As we discussed details, she was able to express some of her regrets, her sadness, and her trouble with adjusting to life without her precious friend. It gave us an easy opportunity to talk about her grief process and what she finds most challenging. It's a good reminder for me just how important memorialization is to having a healthy grief outcome. The very act itself requires us to reflect on our relationship with that pet; the good and bad times; and the wacky stories over the years. It can be very sad, but it's also comforting just to be thinking about our pets and not forgetting their impact on our lives. I always suggest to clients that they do some kind of memorial when their pet dies because it allows me a chance to support them. It's nice to know that I'm also increasing the change of better grief outcomes along the way.

How have you memorialized pets that you have lost?

--Dana

For Whom the Belles Toll

As you have probably heard, there was tragedy amidst the triumph at the Kentucky Derby yesterday. While Big Brown was celebrated, tragedy and loss was occuring right on the track.

Eight Belles, the only filly in a field of 19 colts, had placed second behind Big Brown. Coverage on TV rightly focused on the winner, while just paces away, Eight Belles had fallen to the track with two broken front ankles. She ran the race of her life, but in the process her body failed her. Her owner, Larry Jones, has commented that he knows he will be "criticized and second-guessed", but he defends his decision to run her with the "boys". (She was an odds-on favorite to win the Kentucky Oaks - female only race only days before the Derby.)

All over blog-land today, I've read calls to reform horse-racing, to boycott it, etc. I can't say that I actually know enough about it to take a really strong position on this. I have watched some racing on TV, here and there.... The beauty of a running horse is something to behold. I am glad I wasn't watching yesterday when this tragedy happened. I don't think I will watch again because the death of this beautiful girl has upset me. It seems unnecessary and so sad to have lost her lovely life so soon.

I think what I would like to say mostly is a farewell and rest in peace to Miss Eight Belles. She was a strong and beautiful creature, who only gave what was asked of her. She didn't have the say whether to run or not - she obeyed, and paid for that with her life. We are given a unique duty with domesticated animals - they depend on us for their care and well-being. I know that her trainers, and owners, did not intend for her to die this way, however, their choices (in my opinion only) may not have been the best for this young filly.

Rest Well Eight Belles.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash)